Incinerator



Sept. 24, 1963 Filed .nine 2o, 1958 W. R. CRAWFORD ETAL INCINERATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 dwf/e5 Jig/gig, f5? f//f m@ @if sept, 24, 1963 W. R. CRAWFORD ETAL INCINERATOR Filed June 20, 1958 ONTACTS RESE SHAKE GRATE ASH'PIT BURNA 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IGNITION CHAMBER THERMDSTAT l Il@ SOLENOID SWEEPER ARM GRATE SHAKER SOLENOID A FT ER- BURNER THERMOSTAT 114 TIMER MOTOR AFTER BURNER BURNER VALVE Mew-7 Ml IGNITION CHAMBER BURN ER VA LVE www@ g2g/S@ James ldlanner w. R. CRAWFORD ETAL 3,104,629

INCINERATOR sept. 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 20, 1958 l 4 www@ .www n ZZ j JW .MAQ/ ai.. ELM

M l. wmf d Sept- 24, 1963 w. R. CRAWFORD ETAL 3,104,629

INCINERATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 20, 1958 w mja INVENTORS. JEL

Crawford, ZnmeZ,

United States Patent() 3,104,629 BNCINERATGR William 1R. Crawford, Benton Harbor, and James W. Lannert, St. Joseph, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 20, 1958, Ser. No. 743,246 9 Claims. (Cl. 11G- 8) This invention relates to incinerators and -in particular to domestic incinerators for effecting combustion of material such as garbage.

In -domestic incinerators, substantial elimination of smoke and odors is desirable. Further, cas such incinerators are utilized by different persons having different technical abilities, a high degree of eiciency and simplicity of operation is desirable. Another problem that must be considered is that the domestic user may not maintain proper maintenance, such as necessary to provide proper `air flow into and from the combustion charnbers. The known domestic incinerators do not satisfac- -torily meet these needs.

'Ihe principal feature of the instant invention is the provision of a new and improved incinerator.

Another feature is the provision of such an incinerator having an improvised afterburner means.

A further feature is the provision of such an incinerator wherein the afterburner is associated with a partial combustion chamber in a new and improved manner.

Still -another feature is the provision of such an incinerator having new and improved partial combustion chamber means.

A still further feature is the provision of such an incinerator having new and improved air delivery means.

Yet another feature is the provision of such an incinerator having new and improved automatic ladjustment means for effecting proper combustion of different types of material.

A further feature is the provision of such an incinerator having new and improved control means `for effecting desirable automatic operation thereof.

Another feature is the provision of such an incinerator having new and improved means for lautomatically providing a clear draft passage to the inlet of the combustion `chamber means.

A further feature is the provision of `such an incinerator having new and improved means for preventing operation thereof whenever the `air inlet passage is not properly clear.

Still another feature is the provision of such an incinerator Ihaving automatic control means for eifecting desired operation thereof.

A still further feature is the provision of such an incinerator arranged for improved co-ordinated operation of the afterburner and partial combustion burner means for increased eti'iciency in the opera-tion thereof.

Other features and `advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section, taken approximately along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2, of an incinerator embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section thereof taken approximately along the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section thereof taken approximately -along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control means thereof;

FIGURE 4A is a schedule illustrating the relative positions of the timer cam switch contacts in each of the different positions of the timer;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of another form of incinerator having a modiiied control means;

FIG. -6 is `a vertical median section of `the safety valve means yof the control shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of still another form of incinerator having a modified control means;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view of .an illustrative sweep arm mechanism; Iand FIGURE 9 :is a front elevation of the grate shaking mechanism.

In the exemplary embodiment `of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 `of the drawing, an incinerator 10 comprises a first housing 11 defining an ignition chamber 12 -in which an incomplete combustion ,of material to be incinerated, such as garbage 13, is eifected. Directly -above chamber 12 is `a second housing 14 delining an afterburner ch-amber 15 arranged to receive the products `of combustion from the ignition chamber for completion therein of the combustion of the products of combustion. The partial combustion of garbage 13 -in ignition chamber 12 is effected Iby means of a first burner 16 extending across a lower open end 17 of housing 11. A second burner 18 is disposed Within afterburner chamber 15 for providing additional heat energy to assure a completion of the combustion in the afterburner chamber 15.

Surrounding ignition chamber housing 11 and superposed afterburner housing 14 is an outer enclosure 19 provided with a front wall 20 having an opening 21 for admitting garbage 13 to ignition chamber 12. IOpening 21 is normally closed 'by means of a door 22 movably mounted on front wall 20. Below opening 21, front wall 20 is provided with a second opening 23 normally closed by a door 24 having a handle 24a. `Opening 23 extends upwardly from bottom Wall 25 of enclosure 19 and permits desired removal of lashes 26 resulting from the combustion of garbage 13 in ignition chamber 12. An ash pan 27 is removably disposed on bottom wall 25 below open end 17 |of the ignition chamber housing to collect the ashes 26 and facilitate the disposing thereof. An -ash compactor 27a may be provided to reduce the volume of ashes in pan 27 and, thus, permit a greater amount of ashes to be received therein before removal is required.

To support the desired combustion within ignition chamber 12 and afterburner chamber 15, accurately controlled volumes of air are delivered to each chamber. For this purpose, a plurality of air inlet openings 2S are provided in rear wall 29 of outer enclosure 19 adjacent upper wall 30 thereof. From openings 28, the air passes over and around the afterburner housing 14, thereby becoming preheated. A portion of this air is drawn into afterburner chamber 15 through a plurality of openings 31 in rear wall 32 of afterburner housing 14. The quantity of air so drawn through openings 31 and around burner 18 is a function of Ithe draft and temperature in the afterburner chamber. The remainder of the air passes between ignition chamber 'housing 11 and outer enclosure 19 to enter .the bottom of ignition chamber 12 through lower open end 17 of housing 11. To provide improved delivery of this air and flame from burner 16 to the different portions of the garbage within the ignition chamber, a wire basket structure 33 is provided therein to receive and effect a spacing of the garbage slightly inwardly of the walls of housing 11, thereby defining an air and flame ow space 34 laterally surrounding the garbage. The gaseous products of combustion pass upwardly from ignition chamber 12 into afterburner chamber 15 through an opening 35 in top Wall 36 of ignition chamber housing 11 adjacent the rear Wall thereof. Thus, as the gaseous products of combustion enter the afterburner chamber 15, they are lmixed with an additional volume of air delivered through openings 31 to permit the desired completion of the combustion thereof. The resultant puriiied effluent (having had substantially all smoke and odor removed therefrom in the afterburner chamber) is passed outwardly from the afterburner through an opening 37 in the upper wall 3S of housing 14 and a suitable outlet duct 39 extending from opening 37 through upper wall 3l) of outer enclosure 19. Outlet duct 39 may be connected to a suitable stackas desired.

To regulate the draft of the eflluent at .the afterburner outlet, an opening til (FIG. 2) is provided in rear wall 32 of afterburner housing 14 .and a damper 41 is disposed movably across opening 40 to vary the airllow through the opening and into chamber 15 as a direct function of the draft suction at opening 37. Thus, should the combustion within incinerator lil tend to run away such as might occur during incineration of readily combustible material, such as dry paper, damper 41 provides an auto matic reduction of the draft through the incinerator.

The general construction of incinerator 1d having been described, the specific detailed structure thereof will now be considered. Housings 11 and 14, and outer enclosure 19 are preferably formed of a sheet metal such as sheet steel. Housing 11 is adapted to hold a substantial amount of garbage, permitting, for example, the use of the incinerator, in an ordinary domestic application, on a oncea-day schedule. However, because of the high efficiency of incinerator 1G, ythe unit may be relatively small, a typical dimensioning of housing 11 being 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep by 4 feet high.

Wire basket 33 is preferably substantially rigid and may be comprised of /32 inch diameter rods secured as by welding. Door 22 may be formed of sheet metal, such as sheet alloy steel, and is preferably pivotally secured at its lower end to enclosure front wall 20 by a hinge 42. A handle 43 is provided on the upper end of the door 22 for manipulation of -the door as desired. On the rear of door 22 is secured a chute 44 which guides the garbage through opening 21 and into ignition chamber 12.. To facilitate the deposit of garbage, means are provided for retaining door 212 at approximately a 45 angle in the open position, such means being illustrated herein as comprising a clip 45 on chute 44 adapted to engage an overhanging ledge portion 46 of ignition chamber housing 11 when door 22 is thusly disposed.

As best seen in FIGS. l and 3, the lower end of ignition chamber housing 11 tapers so that lower open end 17 is restricted in area. Partially closing open end 17 to support garbage 13 in the ignition chamber is a grate 47 comprising a pair of fingered bars. A shaker mechanism 4S is associated with grate 47 to effect a shaking reciprocation thereof, when desired, thereby to cause ashes to pass downwardly through open end 17 and into ash pan 27. Burner 16 is disposed slightly below grate 47 and herein comprises a power burner producing approximately 12,060 B.t.u.s per hour.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. l and 2, the improved afterburner means is seen to comprise a generally horizontally extending, circuitous passage defined by suitable baffle walls within afterb-urner housing 14. Four such baille walls are provided herein, each wall extending vertically from the underside of upper wall 38 yto the upper side of wall 36. A first baffle wall 49 is spaced from right side wall Sil of afterburner housing 14 approximately -1/4 of the width of the afterburner chamber. Wall 49 extends forwardly from rear wall 32 of housing 14 to a short front wall portion 51 of the afterburner housing 14 offset rearwardly from .the main front Wall portion 52 thereof by an interconnecting horizontal wall 53. As 4best seen in FIG. l, walls 51 and SSdene, with the forward end of wall 36, a space 54 extending across the width of 4the afterburner housing, through a portion of which space extends burner 13.

A second baille wall 55 is spaced approximately midway between right side wall 50 and left side wall 56 of housing 14 and extends rearwardly from the front wall thereof defined 'by portions 51, 52. and 53 slightly more than 1/2 the distance toward rearwall 32. A third baffle wall 57 is spaced approximately 1A: vof the width of the afterburner housing from left side wall 56 and extends rearwardly from front wall portion 51 to the front edge 58` of opening 35. The fourth baffle Wall 59 is alignedwith edge 58 and extends between third wall 57 and first wall 49. The lower rear corner of first baille wall49 is cutout overlying opening 35 (seeV FIG. l) to define a horizontal edge 6i? and a vertical edge 61. Extending vangularly upwardly from the junction of left side wall 56 with horicommunication between the passage portion bounded by.

left side wall 56 and baffle wall 57 and the space under angular wall 62, wall 59 is provided with a projecting por-k tion 63 extending across the opening therebetween. Thus,

as best seen in FIG. 2, the flow passage of the etlluent through the afterburner chamber is upwardly from the entire opening 35, through the space between baille wall49 and right side wallrS, past lliurner 18 which is disposed at one end of this space and is thus adjacent the inlet of the flow passage, into the yspace between wall 49 and wall 55 after making a 180 turn, into the space between wall 55 and wall 57 4after making another 180 turn, into the space between wall 57 and side wall 56 after making another flSD? turn, into the space between wall `59 and rear wall 32 of the housing and over angular wall 62, and then-ce upwardly through outlet opening 37. This elongated and circuitous path effects a retention of the effluent in the afterburner chamber for a sufliciently long period of time to assure a complete combustion thereof. In addition, the sharp turns assure a turbulent and thorough mixing of the air and eluent providing improved eliiciency in the combustion. Still further, as the flow pas-V sage extends horizontally, deposit -of ily ash does not block any one portion thereof, but rather any such -lly ash is deposited over the substantial length of the passage, substantially minimizing cleaning maintenance of the :afterburner.

In the illustrated embodiment, burner 18 comprises a ower burner providing approximately 24,000 B.t.u.s per our. the invention, burners 16 and 18 may comprise other suitable burner means, such as electrically operated burners,

and may provide other suitable amounts of heat energy. l

an automatic regulation of the combustion therein. As

indicated above, the combustion air is preheated by its passage against afterburner housing 14 prior to delivery through lower open end 17 of the ignition chamber heusing. Such heat transfer provides not only improved efilciency of combustion in ignition chamber 12 but also serves to reduce the outlet temperature of the eflluent,-

which temperature reduction is highly desirable relative to fire hazard considerations. drawn into the afterburner chamber 15 through openings 31 as a result of the suction pressure induced -in chamber '15 as the pro-ducts of combustion pass from opening 35 into the space between wall 49 tand side wall 50. Thus, a

large rate of flow, as might result from the burning in chamber 12 of highly combustible material (such as dry paper or cardboard), effects an increase in the amount of It should be understood that, within the scope of As indicated above, air is air drawn into chamber L15 to be mixed with the products of combustion. Alternatively, a low rateV of flow, as might be caused 'by burning damp garbage in chamber :1-2, effects a decreased delivery or air. To preclude a reverse flow through openings 31 (of the combustion products entering the afterburner chamber), a baffle plate y64 is carried on wall 32 to extend angularly upwar-dly in front of openings 31 and `deflect the fiow away from the openings.

To assure proper operation of incinerator 10, it is desirable to provide only a limited `amount of :air to ignition chamber 12 so that only a partial combustion of garbage occurs therein, and permit completion of the combustion to occur in afterburner chamber 15. The control of the volume of air admitted through lower end 17 into ignition chamber 12 is effected by properly dimensioning the openings 65 in the member 11o between ignition chamber housing I11 and the outer enclosure 19 so that the openings 65 therebetween properly throttle the air delivery the requisite amount. Thus, the draft through the entire incinerator is controlled auto-matically by the damper 41 which admits more or less air into the space above angular wall 62 adjacent outlet opening 37 depending on thedraft at the outlet opening 37, and the ratio of air volumes delivered to the ignition yand afterburner chambers is controlled automatically by the `co-ordinated functioning of openings 65 and openings 31 4which divert more or less air from openings 65 directly into afterburner chamber -15 depending on the draft adjacent inlet opening 35.

The instant invention further comprehends an automatic operation Kof incinerator 10 in a new and improved manner. This automatic operation is effected by a number of different control elements electrically associated to define a control circuit 66, as sho-wn in YFIG. 4. It is desirable to utilize the incinerator during the early morning hou-rs when people would be least affected by any smoke, odor or fly ash which might result from an abnormal weather condition or the like. To effect operation of the incinerator at such times, a 24-hour timer 67 (FIG. l) of conventional construction is provided. Timer 67 is provided with a Imotor 68 which is continuously energized from a suitable power supply 69 through leads L1 and L2. Herein, power supply 69' comprises a ll5 volt alternating current supply. Electrically associated with 24-hour timer 67 is a single pole normally open switch 7i) arranged to be closed by the action of the timer, eg., from 12:00 oclock midnight to 9:00 A M. Switch 7G is connected to one side of power supply 69 through lead L2, a single pole, single throw manually operable switch 71, lead 72, moving contact 73a of a single pole, double throw switch 73, stationary contact 73h off switch 73, and lead 74. Switch 71 comprises the main Off-On switch which the operator places in the closed condition after loading the incinerator. However, as switch 70 remains open until midnight or previously set hour of day, the incinerator normal-1y remains inoperative until that time. However, if for any reason it is desired to effect immediate `operation of the incinerator, a manually operable single pole, single throw switch 75, connected in parallel with yswitc-h 70, may be operated to bypass lopen switch 79 and apply potential to lead 76 connected to the secondary side of switch 70 and feed the remainder of the control circuit. When either switch 70 or switch 75 closes, immediate :operation of a 72step program timer 77 is effected. Program timer 77 is of suitable conventional construction and includes a plurality .of switches which are selectively opened and closed in each of the 72 steps. As shown in FIGURE 4, the program timer includes a motor 82 driving the cams 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A which control respectively switches 1A', 2A', 3A', 4A and 5A. At the end of each complete operation of program timer 77, a first timer contact 78 of switch 1A closes with a second timer contact 79 thereof to establish a Reset condition. Contact 79 is connected to lead 76 through a lead 79a and a normal- 6 ly closed contact a of a time delay relay `80 having a heater 80h connected between lead 76 and power supply lead L1. Relay 80 operates to lopen contact 80a approximately 21/2 minutes after heater 80h is energized by the closing of either switch 70 or 75.

As contact 78 is closed with contact 79 in the first, or Reset, position of program timer 77, current may pass from contact 78, through a lead 81, to motor 82 of the program timer 77, the other Iside of lwhich motor is connected to lead L1. This initiates operation of the program timert-o openate the timer in 72 increments, each of which is one minute long. At the end of :the rst minute, the timer Imoves to the second position wherein a timer contact 83 of switch 2A closes with a timer contact `84 thereof which is connected by a lead v85 to a stationary contact 86a of a double throw switch 86. Contact Sin is connected to lead 76 through a moving contact 86h of the switch 86. Contact 813 is connected to a thermal interrupter relay 87 by a lead 88. Relay 87 includes a normally closed contact '87a which is intermittently opened by a thermally operative actuating means 8'7b connected from lead 88 to power supply lead L1, thereby connecting a lead 89 to lead 88. Lead 89 is connected to a timer contact 90 of switch 3A which is closed with a timer contact 91 thereof in the second timer position to complete a circuit through a lead 92 to a solenoid 93', the other side of which is connected to lead L1. Solenoid 93 comprises the operating means of grate shaker v 4S and, thus, during the one minute in which the program timer is in the second position, a repeated shaking 0peration off grate 47 is effected. Resultingly, a thorough clearing of the lashes thnough the lopen lower end 17 of ignition chamber housing 11 is automatically effected prior to a combustion operation of the incinerator.

Should, as a result of .the grate shaking, a deposit of ashes result which completely blocks open end 17, thereby preventing proper admission of air to support combustion in chamber 12, malfunctioning `of the incinerlator would result. To preclude this, 'automatic means are provided which detect the presence of such lan excess quantity of ashes and preclude further operation yof the incinerator yuntil the ashes have been removed by the operator. This operation is effected in the third position of the timer wherein contact 90 closes with a timer contact 94 of switch 3A to apply potential through a lead 95 to one side of a solenoid 96, the other side of which solenoid is connected to power supply lead L1. Solenoid 96 is associated with an yupright shaft 97 (FIG. l) on the upper end of which is secured a sweeper arm '98. Solenoid 96 operates a suitable cam device 99 to effect incremental rotation of shaft 97 about its vertical axis upon successive closings of contact 87a and effects ta step by step swinging of arm 98 across the open top of ash pan 27. Should arm 9S encounter a body `of ashes in this space above ash pan 27 and below burner V16, the-resultant resistance to movement is transmitted to shaft 97 which is associated with switch 73 to throw movable contact 73a thereof, opening the circuit .to stationary contact 73b and closing the circuit from lead 72 to a second stationary contact 73C of switch 73. The opening of the .circuit to contact 73b immediately stops further operation of .the incinerator. To notify the operator that the cause of discontinuation ofoperation is an excess of ashes, a signal light (FIG. l) is mounted Aon the front wall 20 of the housing and is connected to contact 73C by lead 101. The other side of the signal light is connected directly to power supply lead L1 and, thus, when moving contact 73a closes with stationary contact 73c, signal light 100 is illuminated thereby warning the operator of the excess ash condition.

It should be noted that during this third step in the program timer operation, Ithe program timer motor 82 is de-enengized, Ias timer contact 78 is no longer connected to timer contact 79. However, if an excess ash conditi-on does not exist, arm 98 may move completely across the top of ash pan 27, allowing cam device 99 to operate 'anciens switch 86 at .the end of this movement and throw the movable contact 8611 across normally open contacts l86C-- 86d thereof. Contact 86e is connected to lead 81 and, as moving contact 86h is connected to lead 76, this reestablishes a circuit from lead 76 to timer motor 82. After one minute, the program timer moves to the fourth position wherein a timer contact 1102 of switch 1A' connected to lead 76 is closed with timer contact 78, thus maintaining the circuit to program timer motor 82 while allowing switch 36 .to be restored to the reset condition (of FIG. 4) by an additional impulse delivered to sole- -noid 96- from contact 86d, lead 163, and timer contact 104 of switch 2A' which is then closed with timer contact 83. AOnce switch 86 is thrown to the position of FIG. 4, the circuit .to relay 87 is broken, thereby precluding further -operation of solenoid 96.

In position 4, another timer contact 105 of switch 4A connected to lead 76 is closed with a timer contact 106 of switch 4A connected through a lead 107 to still another timer contact 108 of switch 5A closed with another timer contact 109 thereof. Contact 109 is connected to a lead 110 connected to one side of a solenoid l111, the other side of which solenoid is connected directly to power supply lead L1. The resultant energization of solenoid 111 opens an associated valve 112 which controls the flow of combusti-ble Igas to burner 18` of the afterburner. When the temperature within the after-burner chamber 15 becomes sufhciently high to support the complete combustion of the products of combustion delivered from ignition chamber 12, operation of burner 16 is automatically effected. This is accomplished 'by a thermostat switch 113 which connects lead I110 to a lead 114 at a predetermined temperature. Lead 114 is connected to :one side of a solenoid 115, the other side of which is connected directly to power supply lead L1. VSolenoid 1115 operates a valve 116 controlling the delivery of combustible gas to burner 16. As seen in FIG. 4, contact 105 remains closed with contact 106, and contact S remains closed with contact 109 during all of the last 69 timer positions. Thus, combustion of the garbage 13 in incinerator 10 is effected continuously for 69 minutes.

When the program timer returns to the Reset position, the circuit between contact 105 and i106 is broken. 'I'his would normally prevent further operation of the incinenator. However, if combustion of the garbage 13- has not been completed, it is desirable -to continue the operation of the incinerator. 'Ibis is automatically effected by means of a second thermostat switch 1117 which closes to connect lead 76 to lead 107 whenever the temperature in ignition chamber 12 adjacent opening 35 is Iabove a predetermined value, indicating that an exothermic incineration is continuing (i.e., lgarbage is still burning within ignition chamber 12). However, program timer 77 -remains in the Reset position as contact y80a of the time delay relay 80 remains open. Thus, as soon as the -temperature within ignition chamber 12 drops below the predetermined value (indicating that combustion is completed), operation of the burners 16 and `18 is discontinued. If completion of the combustion does not occur within the 4-hour interval controlled by switch 70, the opening of switch 70 at the end of the 4-hour period will, nevertheless, stop further operation of the burners. When switch 70 opens, heater S06 of time delay relay 80 is deenergized, permitting contact 80a to close and, thus, reestablish lthe necessary initial circuit to permit a new cycle of operation of the program timer 77 at the next closing of switch 70 as controlled by the 24-hour timer 67.

Referring now to :FIGURE 8, solenoid -96 is shown to include an .armature 300 connected by a spring 30-1 to an actuator arm 302. Spring 301 biases the :actuator larm 362 against the cam 99 which is provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 305. Spring 301 is counterbalanced by `a return spring 304%1 whereby successive operations of solenoid 96 to move armature 300 ser-iat-um to the left and to the right as shown in FIGURE 8 causes a step-bystep rotation of cam 99. The cam is retained in the respective stepped positions by means of a pawl 305 biased about a pivot 306 by means of a spring 367 .to enga-ge the ratchet teeth 303 in the stepped rotation of the cam 99.

As previously indicated, the incremental rotation of the cam device 99 effects rotation of shaft 97 'to cause a step-by-step swinging of arm 93 across the open top of ash pan 27. To this end, an arm 30S is lixedly secured to the shaft 97 by means of a se-t screw 309. A spring 310 connects one end of the arm 303 tothe cam 99. Thus when there is no resistance to movement of shaft 97, the incremental rotation of cam 99 causes a concurrent rotation of shaft 97 -to swin-g the arm 9S as indicated. At the extreme movement of cam 99 a high portion 311 thereof engages lthe actuator 31,2 of switch `36 to end the cam movement and re-establish the circuit yto the timer motor Y In Ithe event that a body of ashes is in the ash pan 27:

preventing lthe movement of the arm fully across the ash pan, the shaft 97 will be prevented from following cam 99. In this event, switch 73 which is carried by the cam 99 will move .away from an adjustable actuator 314 on arm 308 whereby moving contact 73a is moved from contact 73h :to :de-energize .the program timer and ener -gize signal light 100 to notify the operator of the necessity to remove the excess ashes.

Referring now Ito FIGURE 9, an illustrative grate shaker structure 48 is shown to include the solenoid'93 which :as indicated above is intermittently operated during step 2 of the program timer operation to shake the grate 47 and thereby cause :ashes to pass downwardly into ash pan 27 prior to the above discussed sweeping operation for determining the level of ashes in the ash pan. As shown in FIGURE 9, the solenoid is carried on a bracket 320 and the grate 47 is connected -to the solenoid 93 by means of a linkage 317 and a spring 318. A return spring 319 is connected between the linkage 317 andthe iframe 19. Thus, intermittent energization of solenoid 93 effects reciprocation of the grate li7 to shake the ashes as indicated above.

Referring now more specically to FIGS. 5 and 6, an-U time estimated to be proper to effect a complete incineration. Timer 152 operates a valve 153 which controls the delivery of `combustible gas through a duct 154a to burner 154 in the afterburner chamber 155. Delivery of combustible gas to duct 154a is, in turn, controlled by a safety control ldevice 156, the speciiic construction of which is best seen in FIG. 6. Device 156 comprises a valve defined by a body 157 having an inlet chamber 158, an outlet chamber 159, yand a wall 160 between .the inlet and outlet chambers provided with Ian opening 161 removably closed by -a movable val-ve member 162. Movable valve member 162 is secured to an operating shaft 163 extending loutwardly from inlet chamber 158 through a sealing closure 164. The `ou-ter end 163e of shaft 163 defines a button portion adapted 1for manipula-tion by the operator .to effect the spacing of fvalve member 162 from wall 1160 and permit limi-ted gas lflow through opening 161, into chamber 159 and outwardly through ia Afirst outlet 165. A duct 166 is connected -to outlet 165 to deliver the combustible .gas to a pilot 167 associated with vburner 154- of the afterburner. At the same time, combustible `gas is delivered through a second outlet 168 and a duct 169 .connect-ed thereto to a pilot 170 associated with a burner 171 in ignition chamber 171e.

The pres- 9 ence of a ame at pilot 167 is sensed by a thermopile detector 172 which -is operatively associated by a connector 1-72a with a solenoid 173` having its armature 174 connected to one end of a lever 175 pivotally connected -to shaft 163 intermediate the ends thereof. A similar thermopile detector 176 is associated with pilot 170 in the ignition chamber and by ya connector 176e with a solenoid 177 having its armature 178 connected to the opposite end of lever 175. Whenever a proper llame is provided by both pilots 167 and 170, the two solenoids 173 and 177 are energized to pull armatures 174 and 178 downwardly against the action of a biasing spring 179 to move valve member 152 away from opening 161and permit iiow of combustible gas therethrough.

When valve 153 is opened by timer mechanism 152, it permits flow of combustible Igas through duct 15411 to burner 154 where -it is ignited by pilot 167. When the temperature within afterburner chamber 155 reaches a predetermined value, a thermally-lagged sensing element 180 therein opens a solenoid valve 181 lin ia duct 1-71b to permit ilow of combustible lgas to ignition chamber burner 171. The combustible gas at burner 171 is ignited by pilot 170I .and elects the desired partial combus- -tion of the material in chamber 171g.

After `a predetermined period of time, timer 152 closes valve 153 to discontinue operation of burner '154. However, as long as the combustion of material continues in ignition chamber 171a, the hot gases therefrom maintain the temperature at sensing element 180 sufficient for maintaining valve 181 open. Upon completion of the combustion operation, the temperature at sensing element 180 -drops and after a few minutes (due to the time lag operation of sensing element 180) valve 181 closes to discontinue further operation of burner 171, allo-wing the incinerator 151 to coo-l and become yautomatically reset for a subsequent combustion operation.

Should either of the pilots 167 or 170 become extinguished at any time, the .associated solenoid becomes deenergized and spring 179 pivots lever 175 about the connection to the other Solenoid to move member 152 upwardly land close opening 161. This immediately stops further ow of combustible gas to the incinerator. Thus, an automatic safety control of the incinerator is effected precluding an explosive build-up of combustible gas there- 1n.

Turning now to FIG. 7, another incinerator means 200' is shown to inoludela modified form of control permitting an automatic adjustment of the incinerator for proper combustion of diiferent types of combustible materials. It has been found, ffor example, :that combustion of Wet garbage requires la large volume of air and high heat energy delivery in the ignition chamber and little air and heat delivery in the afterburner, whereas combustion of more readily combustible material, such as dry paper or cardboard, requires little heat and air delivery in the ignition chamber and high heat and :air delivery in the afterburner. To provide automatically the desirable plurality of operating arrangements, incinerator 200 is provided with an afterburner 201 having a high heat burner 202, Va low heat burner 203 and a pilot 204 for igniting the burners. The ignition chamber means 205 is similarly provided with a high heat burner 206, a low heat burner 207 and a .pilot 208- for igniting the ignition chamber burners. Combustible gas is delivered to the pilots 204 and 208 from a supply duct 209. The combustible gas is delivered from supply duct 209 through a timer valve 210 and a two-way selector valve 211 alternatively to a first distribution duct 212 and a second distribution duct 213. From duct 212 combustible gas is deliveredt-o low heat burner 203 of the lafterburner `and high heat burner 206 of the ignition chamber means. From -duct 213 combustible gas is delivered to high heat burner 202 of the afterburner and llow heat burner '207 of the ignition chamber means. Two-way valve 211 maybe of suitable conventional construction and is provided Iwith means, such as control cable 214 connected to a suitable control lever means 215, for eiecting the selection of the valve to either of its alternative distributing positions. y

Air is delivered to ignition chamber means 205 through an inlet 216. The gaseous products of combustion in ignition chamber means 205 are delivered to afterburner 201 through an interconnectinng duct 217 in which is disposed an adjustable damper 218 operated by a control cable 219 connected to control lever means 215. Air is admitted to after-burner 201 through an air inlet 220 provided with a dam-per 221 controlled by a cable 222 also connected to control lever means 215.

The two-way valve 211 and dempers 218 and 221 are arranged so that when valve 211 is disposed topass combustible gas to duct 212, damper 218 extends longitudinally of duct 217 permitting maximum flow therethrough, and damper 221 extends transversely across duct 220 to close substantially that duct. Thus, the incinerator is automatically arranged to effect combustion of material such as damp garbage, as it provides a substantial amount of heat in the ignition chamber means 205 and causes a substantial lamount of air 'to be drawn in through inlet 216 to support the combustion in chamber 205.

When a highly combustible material is to be incinerated, control lever means 215 is operated to rearrange valve 211 for delivery of the combustible gas to duct 213, and to reposition ramper 218 to block partially duct 217 and damper 221 to extend longitudinally of duct 220 permitting free air low into afterburner 201. Thus, in this arrangement, only a small amount of heat is delivered to the ignition chamber means 2015 by burner 2017 and a 'darn-per 218 acts to prevent a runaway combustion .of the material in chamber 205. However, as a rapid combustion takes place within chamber 205, high heat burner 202 of afterburner 201 effectively completes the corn- -bustion of the pro-ducts delivered through d-uct 217 and the large volume olf air delivered through duct 217 and the large volume of air delivered to afterblurner 2011 through its lair inlet 220 to eliminate completely any smoke and odors which would otherwise result from the starved combustion within ignition chamber 205.

In illustrating this `form of the invention, two diierent types of combustible materials were specifically considered, namely damp garbage and highly combustible paper and cardboard. It should be understood that the invention comprehends suitable means for arranging an incinerator for automatic prop-er combustion of other types of combusti-ble materials as well as the illustrated types. Also,

to illustrate this form of the invention, a mechanically operated control means is shown. It should be understood, however, that the invention comprehends other 'suitable control means such as electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically operative controls as are Well-known in the art.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention, it is to lie-understood that it is capable of many modifications.. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope orf the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An incinerator, comprising: an ignition chamber; an afterburner receiving lproducts of combustion from the ignition chamber; a first burner in said ignition chamber; `a second burner in said afterburner; means effecting operation of said second burner; means responsive to a predetermined temperature rise effected by operation of said second :burner to effect operation :of the first burner; means stopping operation of the second burner after a predetermined time; and means subsequently stopping operation of the rst burner when the temperature in the incinerator drops below a predetermined temperature.

2. The incinerator of claim 1 wherein the last named means includes means measuring the temperature at the outlet from the incinerator.

3. The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said predetermined temperature is a minimum temperature eiiected as a result of exothermic incineration in said ignition ch-amber.

4. An incinerator, comprising: an ignition chamber; an afterburner receiving products of combustion yfrom the ignition chamber; a rst burner in said ignition chamber; a seco-nd burner in said afterburner; and means effecting an automatic sequential operation of Said burners wherein the second bui-ner is operated for an initial period, the first burner is operated upon the reaching of a predetermined temperature condition in the afterburner, operation of the secondburner is ydiscontinued at the end of said period, and 4operation of the iirst burner is continued until the temperature in the a-fterburner `decreases to a predetermined value as :a result of substantial discontinuation of eXothermic combustion in the ignition chamber.

5. An incinerator, comprising: chamber' means; burner means for effecting combustion of material .to be incinerated in said chamber means; means for receiving ashes resulting from combustion of said material in said chamber; and means `automatically operative to detect the quantity of ashes in said receiving means and preclude operation o-f said burner means whenever .the quantity of ashes therein is greater .than :a predetermined amount.

6. An incinerator, comprising: chamber means; burner means for effecting combustion of the material to be incinerated in said chamber means; a grate =for supporting the material to be incinerated in said chamber means; and means automatically shaking the grate Whenever operation of the burner means is to be effected; means for receiving ashes resulting from combustion of said material in said chamber; `and means automatically operative subsequent .to a shaking of the grate lby said shaking means to detect the quantity of ashes in Said receiving means and preclude operation of said burner means Whenever the quantity off ashes therein is greater than a predetermined amount.

7. An incinerator, comprising: chamber means; burner means for eiecting combustion of material to be incinerated in said chamber means; control means 'arranged to effect successive operations of the burner means for a plurality of periods of time; and thermo-responsive means precluding initiation of the second of said successive operations Whenever combustion of all of the material in the chamber means occurs prior to the commencement of the second period of time.

8. An incinerator, comprising: an ignition charnber; irst burner means for effecting partial combustion of material to be incinerated in said ignition chamber; an afterburner chamber for receiving products of combustion of the material in said ignition chamber; second burner means in said afterburner chamber for completing combustion of said products of combustion; a grate for supporting the material to be incinerated in said ignition chamber; means for shaking said grate; an ash pan for receiving ashes resulting from combustion of said material in said ignition chamber; means for determining the height of ashes in said ash pan; and timer controlled means for effecting automatically at a predetei-mined time sequentially an operation of said grate shaking means, an operation of said ash height determining means, an operation of said second burner means only if the height of ashes determined by said determining means is less than a predetermined height, an operation of said rst burner means upon the effecting of a predetermined temperature elevation in the after-burner by said second burner means, a discontinuation of the operation of the second burner means, and a discontinuation of the operation of the first burner means upon the first to occur of a reaching of the end of a predetermined period of time and of the completion of combustion of the material in said chamber means.

9.,An incinerator, comprising: an ignition chamber; lirst burner means for effecting partial combustion of' material to be incinerated in said ignition chamber; an afterburner chamber in communication With said ignition chamber for receiving products of combustion of the material in said ignition chamber; second burner means in, said after-burner chamber for completing combustion of said products of combustion; an ash pan subjacent said ignition chamber for receiving ashes resulting from combustion of said material in said ignition chamber; means for determining the height of ashes in said ash pan; and

timer controlled means for electing automatically ank References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,137,232 Ricketts Apr. 27, 1915 1,281,488 Best Oct. 15, 1918 1,528,816 Cummings Mar. 10, 1925 1,545,497 Kener July 14, 1925 1,887,768 Maloney Nov. 15, 1932 l1,995,723 Van Denburg Mar. 26, 1935 2,041,449 Adams May 19, y1936 2,118,651 Macchi May 24, 1938 2,549,517 Persons Apr. 17, 1951 2,601,332 Shaifer June 24, -1952 2,610,682 Weber Sept. 16, 1952 2,646,758 Greemen July 28, 1953 2,653,213 Comstock Sept. 22, 1953 Y 2,711,439 Martin June 21, 1955 v 2,716,386 Smart Aug. 30, 1955 2,752,870 Short et al. July 3, 1956 2,847,951 Triggs Aug. 19, 1958 2,863,406 Anderson et al. Dec. 9, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 771,919 Great Britain Apr. 10, 1957 59,075 Norway -Mar. 7, 1938. 

7. AN INCINERATOR, COMPRISING: CHAMBER MEANS; BURNER MEANS FOR EFFECTING COMBUSTION OF MATERIAL TO BE INCINERATED IN SAID CHAMBER MEANS; CONTROL MEANS ARRANGED TO EFFECT SUCCESSIVE OPERATIONS OF THE BURNER MEANS FOR A PLURALITY OF PERIODS OF TIME; AND THERMO-RESPONSIVE MEANS PRECLUDING INITIATION OF THE SECOND OF SAID SUCCESSIVE OPERATIONS WHENEVER COMBUSTION OF ALL OF THE MATERIAL IN THE CHAMBER MEANS OCCURS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND PERIOD OF TIME. 